These women from Paulatuk, N.W.T., are stepping up at their community’s school

Four women in Paulatuk, N.W.T., have been working as substitute teachers at the local school – familiar faces that are helping keep its doors open for students when regular staff aren’t able to make it in. 

Kyle Sagert, the principal at Angik School, said there have been a couple of times this year where had it not been for those substitute teachers — he may have had to close the building for the day.

Christen Green, a mature student herself, has been working as a substitute for a couple of years now, he said, while Nikki Ruben, Katelinne Ruben and Bertha Ruben all graduated from Angik School and started filling in at the start of this school year. 

“It’s been a really good experience,” said Nikki, who graduated in 2024. 

“The kids are very — they’re all amazing. All the classes, all the grades … I definitely thought it was gonna be a little more nerve-racking, but it turned out to be all OK.” 

Nikki said she enjoys English class the most, because of the content that’s covered. For example, the class with students in Grades 7, 8 and 9 were recently learning about ancient Egypt. 

“They did a scavenger hunt with little facts hidden all around the room. And I learned some things that I myself didn’t even know,” she said. “I’m always learning with the kids.” 

She also sees the value in having people from Paulatuk working in the school. Many of the N.W.T.'s teachers are from outside the territory.

“I think it’s easier when the kids can find a familiar face and someone that they can relate to,” she said. 

And that isn’t lost on Sagert. 

“They [the substitute teachers] understand the culture and the language, and they understand, you know, the community values,” he said. “You already kind of have that part of that relationship built with the student, which is a big part of teaching in the North.” 

Sagert said about 80 students are registered at Angik School, which has five classes combining students all the way from junior kindergarten to Grade 12.

Katelinne Ruben said her favourite part of substitute teaching at Angik School is when the children tell stories about themselves — especially if those stories are about being out on the land.

“They’re always excited to talk about just being on the land,” she said.